How to Force a Card During a Card Trick

A big part of performing magic is knowing the outcome of your trick. This is especially handy when doing card tricks. One way of knowing the outcome is forcing a card. A card force is when you know which card the person is going to select before the card trick even begins. With a few simple steps, you can begin your path as a magician-—or at the very least, entertain your friends.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Know what the top card is in your deck as you prepare to force a card during a card trick.

2. Hold the deck of cards so that the end card is facing up. Put the first three fingers of your hand against the face of the cards while your thumb and pinkie will be against the back of the deck.

3. Sort through the deck with your thumb and say stop. Try to time the moment the person says "stop" when you're about half-way through the deck.

4. Grab the half of the deck that's nearest your thumb by lifting straight up, leaving the top card behind. It will naturally fall against the other cards. If you do this movement quickly enough, it will be undetected by the spectator, who will remain unaware you are forcing a card during a card trick.

5. Tell the spectator to take the top card without showing you what that card is.

6. Instruct the spectator to put the card back in the deck after memorizing it, then put it back in the deck.

7. Shuffle the cards, and then pull out the top card. In this manner you will force a card in a card trick.

Resources

• The Gag discusses forcing a card.
• Wayne Phelps discusses forcing a card.